And to All a Good Night!

By Lauren Greenlee

Looking for bedtime story inspiration? These books are guaranteed to usher in sweet dreams!

Good Night, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann. This almost wordless tale chronicles the end of a zookeeper’s shift before going home. The zookeeper (and his wife!) are in for a real surprise when they discover that all the animals he bid good-night at the zoo have, unbeknownst to him, followed him home!

Good Night, Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. This bedtime classic has won the hearts of children (and children at heart) for more than three generations. Step into a rabbit’s bedroom and help him nod off to sleep as he tells everything within his room good-night. Within the emerald green walls, you and your little one will find mittens, a red balloon and that memorable bowl full of mush.

I Love You Forever by Robert Munsch. A mother sings a bedtime song over her child from infancy into adulthood until, one day, when she becomes old and sick, her son picks her up, rocks her back and forth just as she once did to him, and sweetly hums their song back to her. This book is a constant reminder of just how fleeting time is!

Little Hoot by Amy Krause Rosenthal. All sleepy owlet Little Hoot wants to do is hit the hay, but his parents insist he stay up late and play like a good owl should. This hilarious twist on a universal dilemma will keep your little ones rolling with laughter.

Llama Llama Red Pajama by Anna Dewdney. Llama Llama, decked out in (you guessed it) red pajamas, is ready for bed. Or is he? Requests for a drink and cuddles with his mama prolong the bedtime routine. And Llama Llama is in for quite a scare when Mama does not come upon first call. Our main character learns there is nothing to fear and, after two kisses, falls promptly to sleep. For continued Llama Llama fun, check outLlama Llama Nighty-Night.

The Napping House by Audrey Wood. On the heels of nursery rhyme classic “The House That Jack Built” comes this hilarious bedtime favorite, in which everyone sleeping comes to find themselves stacked on top of one another in Granny’s old bed! Just how many can curl up together before someone wakes up?

Song of Night by Katherine Riley Nakamura. Observe how darling little animals and their parents prepare to get ready for bed. Duck bathes her duckling while ornery little mice prefer to scurry throughout the bathroom and make a mess with toothpaste & floss. Nevertheless, all the animals eventually join in the song of the night before heading off to dreamland.

Time for Bed by Mem Fox. The sun has set, and it’s time for bed! See how a myriad of creatures prepare to go to sleep. Muted hues and repetitive text keep the youngest of readers engaged in this timeless tale.

Lauren Greenlee loves nothing more than to curl up with a good book and her three cuddly children in their Olathe home.